Berger Paints India Limited
Report on the Audit of the Standalone Financial Statements
Opinion
We have audited the accompanying standalone financial statements of Berger Paints India Limited (“the Company”), which comprise the Balance Sheet as at March 31 2024, the Statement of Profit and Loss, including the Statement of Other Comprehensive Income, the Cash Flow Statement and the Statement of Changes in Equity for the year then ended, and notes to the standalone financial statements, including a summary of material accounting policies and other explanatory information.
In our opinion and to the best of our information and according to the explanations given to us, the aforesaid standalone financial statements give the information required by the Companies Act, 2013, as amended (“the Act”) in the manner so required and give a true and fair view in conformity with the accounting principles generally accepted in India, of the state of affairs of the Company as at March 31,2024, its profit including other comprehensive income, its cash flows and the changes in equity for the year ended on that date.
Basis for Opinion
We conducted our audit of the standalone financial statements in accordance with the Standards on Auditing (SAs), as specified under section 143(10) of the Act. Our responsibilities under those Standards are further described in the ‘Auditor's Responsibilities for the Audit of the Standalone Financial Statements' section of our report. We are independent of the Company in accordance with the ‘Code of Ethics' issued by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India together with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements under the provisions of the Act and the Rules thereunder, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements and the Code of Ethics. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion on the standalone financial statements.
Key Audit Matters
Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgment, were of most significance in our audit of the standalone financial statements for the financial year ended March 31,2024. These matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the standalone financial statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters. For each matter below, our description of how our audit addressed the matter is provided in that context.
We have determined the matters described below to be the key audit matters to be communicated in our report. We have fulfilled the responsibilities described in the Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the standalone financial statements section of our report, including in relation to these matters. Accordingly, our audit included the performance of procedures designed to respond to our assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the standalone financial statements. The results of our audit procedures, including the procedures performed to address the matters below, provide the basis for our audit opinion on the accompanying standalone financial statements.
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Key audit matters
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How our audit addressed the key audit matter
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Revenue Recognition (as described in Note 3.4 and Note 34 of the standalone financial statements)
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The Company recognises revenues when the control of goods and/
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Our audit procedures included the following:
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or services are transferred to the customer at an amount that reflects the net consideration, which the Company expects to receive for those goods and/or services from customers in accordance with the terms of the contracts. In determining the sales price, the Company
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We read and evaluated the Company's revenue recognition policy and assessed its compliance in terms of Ind AS 115 ‘Revenue from contracts with customers’.
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considers the effects of applicable rebates, and discounts (variable
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We assessed the design and tested the operating effectiveness of
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consideration).
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internal controls related to sales and applicable rebates/discounts.
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The terms of sales arrangements, including the timing of transfer of
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We performed test for a sample of individual revenue transactions
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control, based on the terms of relevant contract and nature of discount
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by comparing the underlying sales invoices, sales orders and
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and rebates arrangements, create complexities that require judgment
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other related documents to assess that revenue is recognized on
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in determining sales revenues.
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transfer of control to the customer in accordance with the terms of
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Considering the above factors and the risk associated with revenue
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the contract.
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recognition, we have determined the same to be a key audit matter.
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We tested, on a sample basis, rebates and discount schemes against the underlying documents to assess that the actual rebates and discounts recognized are as per the approved schemes and are appropriately recorded.
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We tested, on a sample basis, that revenue has been recognized in the proper period with reference to the supporting documents.
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We tested underlying documentation for journal entries which were considered to be material related to revenue recognition.
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We read and assessed the relevant disclosures made in the standalone financial statements.
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Impairment Assessment of Investments in Subsidiaries and Joint Ventures
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(as described in Note 44 of the standalone financial statements)
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The carrying values of the Company’s investments in subsidiaries and
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Our audit procedures included the following:
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joint ventures are assessed annually by management for potential indicators of impairment by reference to the requirements under Ind AS 36 “Impairment of Assets”. Accordingly, management has identified impairment indicators in respect of one joint venture and
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We have obtained and discussed with management and evaluated the key judgements/assumptions underlying management’s assessment of potential indicators of impairment.
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certain subsidiaries. As a result, an impairment assessment was
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We obtained an understanding of the impairment assessment
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required to be performed by the Company by comparing the carrying
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process and evaluated the design and tested the operating
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value of these investments to their recoverable amount to determine
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effectiveness of the controls in respect of the same.
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whether an impairment was required to be recognised.
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Where potential indicators of impairment were identified, we have
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For the purpose of the above impairment testing, management has
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assessed financial performance of subsidiaries and joint ventures
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determined the value in use and the fair value less costs to sell as
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and evaluated management’s impairment assessments and
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applicable. Value in use has been determined by forecasting and
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assumptions of cash flow forecasts, discount rates, expected
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discounting future cash flows. Furthermore, the value in use is
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growth rates, terminal growth rates and fair value less cost to sell,
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sensitive to changes in some of the inputs used for forecasting the
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as applicable.
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future cash flows.
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We performed sensitivity analysis to determine the impact of
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Accordingly, we identified the assessment of potential impairment of
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changes in the key assumptions.
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investments in subsidiaries and joint ventures as a key audit matter because impairment assessment involves significant degree of management judgement in determining the key assumptions.
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We involved valuation specialists where considered necessary, to independently assess the assumptions and methodologies used by the Company in computing the recoverable amount. In making this assessment, we also assessed the objectivity, independence and competency of the valuation specialists.
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We read and assessed the relevant disclosures made in the standalone financial statements.
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Information Other than the Financial Statements and Auditor’s Report Thereon
The Company's Board of Directors is responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the Annual Report but does not include the standalone financial statements and our auditor's report thereon.
Our opinion on the standalone financial statements does not cover the other information and we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.
In connection with our audit of the standalone financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether such other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard.
Responsibilities of Management for the Standalone Financial Statements
The Company's Board of Directors is responsible for the matters stated in section 134(5) of the Act with respect to the preparation of these standalone financial statements that give a true and fair view of the financial position, financial performance including other comprehensive income, cash flows and changes in equity of the Company in accordance with the accounting principles generally accepted in India, including the Indian Accounting Standards (Ind AS) specified under section 133 of the Act read with the Companies (Indian Accounting Standards) Rules, 2015, as amended. This responsibility also includes maintenance of adequate accounting records in accordance with the provisions of the Act for safeguarding of the assets of the Company and for preventing and detecting frauds and other irregularities; selection and application of appropriate accounting policies; making judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; and the design, implementation and maintenance of adequate internal financial controls, that were operating effectively for ensuring the accuracy and completeness of the accounting records, relevant to the preparation and presentation of the standalone financial statements that give a true and fair view and are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the standalone financial statements, management is responsible for assessing the Company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless management either intends to liquidate the Company or to cease operations, or has no realistic alternative but to do so.
Those Board of Directors are also responsible for overseeing the Company's financial reporting process.
Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Standalone Financial Statements
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the standalone financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with SAs will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these standalone financial statements.
As part of an audit in accordance with SAs, we exercise professional judgment and maintain professional skepticism throughout the audit. We also:
• Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the standalone financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control.
• Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances. Under section 143(3)(i) of the Act, we are also responsible for expressing our opinion on whether the Company has adequate internal financial controls with reference to financial statements in place and the operating effectiveness of such controls.
• Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related disclosures made by management.
• Conclude on the appropriateness of management's use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our auditor's report to the related disclosures in the financial statements or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our auditor's report. However, future events or conditions may cause the Company to cease to continue as a going concern.
• Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the standalone financial statements, including the disclosures, and whether the standalone financial statements represent the underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation.
We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.
We also provide those charged with governance with a statement that we have complied with relevant ethical requirements regarding independence, and to communicate with them all relationships and other matters that may reasonably be thought to bear on our independence, and where applicable, related safeguards.
From the matters communicated with those charged with governance, we determine those matters that were of most significance in the audit of the standalone financial statements for the financial year ended March 31, 2024 and are therefore the key audit matters. We describe these matters in our auditor's report unless law or regulation precludes public disclosure about the matter or when, in extremely rare circumstances, we determine that a matter should not be communicated in our report because the adverse consequences of doing so would reasonably be expected to outweigh the public interest benefits of such communication.
Report on Other Legal and Regulatory Requirements
1. As required by the Companies (Auditor's Report) Order, 2020 (“the Order”), issued by the Central Government of India in terms of sub-section (11) of section 143 of the Act, we give in the “Annexure 1” a statement on the matters specified in paragraphs 3 and 4 of the Order.
2. As required by Section 143(3) of the Act, we report, to the extent applicable, that:
(a) We have sought and obtained all the information and explanations which to the best of our knowledge and belief were necessary for the purposes of our audit;
(b) In our opinion, proper books of account as required by law have been kept by the Company so far as it appears from our examination of those books except for the matters stated in the paragraph (i)(vi) below on reporting under Rule 11(g);
(c) The Balance Sheet, the Statement of Profit and Loss including the Statement of Other Comprehensive Income, the Cash Flow Statement and Statement of Changes in Equity dealt with by this Report are in agreement with the books of account;
(d) In our opinion, the aforesaid standalone financial statements comply with the Accounting Standards specified under Section 133 of the Act, read with Companies (Indian Accounting Standards) Rules, 2015, as amended;
(e) On the basis of the written representations received from the directors as on March 31, 2024 taken on record by the Board of Directors, none of the directors is disqualified as on March 31, 2024 from being appointed as a director in terms of Section 164 (2) of the Act;
(f) The modification relating to the maintenance of accounts and other matters connected therewith are as stated in the paragraph 2(b) above on reporting under Section 143(3)(b) and paragraph (i)(vi) below on reporting under Rule 11(g);
(g) With respect to the adequacy of the internal financial controls with reference to these standalone financial statements and the operating effectiveness of such controls, refer to our separate Report in “Annexure 2” to this report;
(h) In our opinion, the managerial remuneration for the year ended March 31, 2024 has been paid / provided by the Company to its directors in accordance with the provisions of section 197 read with Schedule V to the Act;
(i) With respect to the other matters to be included in the Auditor's Report in accordance with Rule 11 of the Companies (Audit and Auditors) Rules, 2014, as amended in our opinion and to the best of our information and according to the explanations given to us:
i. The Company has disclosed the impact of pending litigations on its financial position in its standalone financial statements - Refer Note 48(b) to the standalone financial statements;
ii. The Company did not have any long-term contracts including derivative contracts for which there were any material foreseeable losses;
iii. There has been no delay in transferring amounts, required to be transferred, to the Investor Education and Protection Fund by the Company.
iv. a) The management has represented that, to the best of its knowledge and belief, other than as disclosed in
the Note 55 (A) (vii) to the standalone financial statements, no funds have been advanced or loaned or invested (either from borrowed funds or share premium or any other sources or kind of funds) by the Company to or in any other person(s) or entity(ies), including foreign entities (“Intermediaries”), with the understanding, whether recorded in writing or otherwise, that the Intermediary shall, whether, directly or indirectly lend or invest in other persons or entities identified in any manner whatsoever by or on behalf of the Company (“Ultimate Beneficiaries”) or provide any guarantee, security or the like on behalf of the Ultimate Beneficiaries;
b) The management has represented that, to the best of its knowledge and belief, other than as disclosed in the Note 55 (A) (viii) to the standalone financial statements, no funds have been received by the Company from any person(s) or entity(ies), including foreign entities (“Funding Parties”), with the understanding, whether recorded in writing or otherwise, that the Company shall, whether, directly or indirectly, lend or invest in other persons or entities identified in any manner whatsoever by or on behalf of the Funding Party (“Ultimate Beneficiaries”) or provide any guarantee, security or the like on behalf of the Ultimate Beneficiaries; and
c) Based on such audit procedures performed that have been considered reasonable and appropriate in the circumstances, nothing has come to our notice that has caused us to believe that the representations under sub-clause (a) and (b) contain any material misstatement.
v. The final dividend paid by the Company during the year in respect of the same declared for the previous year is in accordance with section 123 of the Act to the extent it applies to payment of dividend.
As stated in note 33 to the standalone financial statements, the Board of Directors of the Company have proposed final dividend for the year which is subject to the approval of the members at the ensuing Annual General Meeting. The dividend declared is in accordance with section 123 of the Act to the extent it applies to declaration of dividend.
vi. Based on our examination which included test checks, the Company has used accounting software for maintaining its books of account which has a feature of recording audit trail (edit log) facility and the same has operated
throughout the year for all relevant transactions recorded in the software except that, as described in note 56 to the financial statements, audit trail feature is not enabled for direct changes to data when using certain access rights and also for certain changes made using privileged/ administrative access right. Also, in respect of software used in maintaining payroll records, in absence of service organisation controls report, we are unable to comment on whether audit trail feature of the underlying database was enabled and operated throughout the year. Further, during the course of our audit we did not come across any instance of audit trail feature being tampered with in respect of accounting software except that in absence of service organisation controls report, we are unable to comment on the same in respect of the software used to maintain payroll records.
For S.R. BATLIBOI & CO. LLP
Chartered Accountants
ICAI Firm Registration Number: 301003E/E300005
per VISHAL SHARMA
Partner
Place of Signature: New Delhi Membership Number: 096766
Dated: May 15, 2024 UDIN: 24096766BKFFRX1443
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